The Mind Tools Content Team

Overcoming Information Overload

Strategies for Managing Information

It usually begins as soon as you arrive at your office in the morning.

You have 68 new emails in your inbox, a podcast waiting on your iPod, two trade publications that you really need to read, a pile of company memos to address – and your BlackBerry indicates that voicemails are waiting for you.

It's going to be another 'information overload' day.

For most of us, days like this are a regular occurrence. We often feel as though we're running to catch up with ourselves – because the information never stops.

You don't need us to tell you that there's lots and lots of irrelevant, outdated, and questionable information out there. Whether that information comes from the Internet, a magazine, or a co-worker, you need the ability to sort through it all and determine what you need to keep – and what you can throw away.

So, what do you do with all this information? When does it become too much? And how can you manage it all so that you can be informed and productive – and still have some free time at the end of the day for a personal life?

This article looks at strategies to sort and manage relevant information – so the information doesn't end up managing you!

Reading Strategies

The ability to search for and find information you need, when you need it, is something that can be learned. And, since most information comes to you through the printed word, it's helpful to use effective reading strategies to identify and select what you need.

Follow these steps to manage the volume of information you need to read:...